Just read AutoSport article on Lewis interview saying moving to Merc wasn't a gamble. He knows what he did. He knows he must help develop the car. Bottom line is he knows what he did & he's accepting the challenge. Sounds like maturity to me. Like I've been saying all year. Good job Lewis!

Lewis looks happy and he does seem to be in a very positive frame of mind. I think he is ready to cast aside all the baggage that he has been carrying for so long and make a fresh start. I could not be more delighted for him and I wish him all the best.

It isn't good for either party if it ends with a public spat and claim and counter-claim. Hardly surprising if they massage the rest of the year with a bit of PR.

So shall we dismiss everything Hamilton says for the rest of the year as PR drivel, or only selected stuff? And who is to decide which is which? Can we have one of the local LH mindreaders keep us mere mortals updated on what to believe and what not? You, perhaps?

Just read back a bit to see if it's been mentioned before, but it just occurred to me...

I'm really curious as to how they will replace Lewis' character on 'Tooned'?
Will they go the soap opera route and have his character killed off, go on hiatus, perhaps
develop an illness that requires him to go to therapy in a different city?

In the grand scheme of things this is really unimportant, I was just thinking about it...

Ain't it strange that Hamiltons fans are more ready to call him a liar than his detractors?

He has 6 races to go with the team, I can't say he is or isn't telling the truth but I think he is smart enough not to destroy the rest of his own season by saying something negative like "I lost all faith in the Team Principal and some of the crew weren't all that great either....We had some good times but right now I can't wait to get away from this team".

Like I said he has 6 races to go and for me, until he has left the team, I put his answers in the "honey....how do I look in this dress?" category.

He has 6 races to go with the team, I can't say he is or isn't telling the truth but I think he is smart enough not to destroy the rest of his own season by saying something negative like "I lost all faith in the Team Principal and some of the crew weren't all that great either....We had some good times but right now I can't wait to get away from this team".

Like I said he has 6 races to go and for me, until he has left the team, I put his answers in the "honey....how do I look in this dress?" category.

You could be right and we could find out in December that there's a lot more behind this move than we know now. There could be all sorts of juicy revelations to come out yet, and enough stuff to whip this thread into a lather of outrage and indignation on one side, and obsessive excuse-making on the other. Should be fun

For the moment, Lewis looks happy and relaxed and he's saying a lot of good things about the team, and to me it just seems like whatever has gone on before now he's determined to go out on a high note and as amicable as he can make it. Seems like a sincere attitude to me but I'm watching video clips on a Web site and the mangled and out-of-order quotes on various Web sites, so what do I know? Maybe I'll just not bother right now and look forward to what he can do in his last six races for the team. The whole Merc transfer saga can wait until I read his racing memoirs in 10-15 years time.

One thing I do like is his move to scupper the speculation that MW was to blame for losing him. He defended his boss after the Spain qually fubar, and he's defending him now. Could be political as he realises this will curry favour with a lot of people in the team, or it could be - hey - that he's actually quite fond of the guy he's worked under for years. Whatever the reason, it's good form and should be applauded.

He has 6 races to go with the team, I can't say he is or isn't telling the truth but I think he is smart enough not to destroy the rest of his own season by saying something negative like "I lost all faith in the Team Principal and some of the crew weren't all that great either....We had some good times but right now I can't wait to get away from this team".

Like I said he has 6 races to go and for me, until he has left the team, I put his answers in the "honey....how do I look in this dress?" category.

A valid point in general, but frankly, this...

'It was the hardest call I have ever had to make,' says Hamilton as he speaks for the first time about his life-changing decision in a meeting room of the Conrad Hotel in downtown Tokyo.

'It was just really, really emotional. I didn't just pick up the phone. I took a step back and really thought about what I wanted to say.

'I wanted to make sure that Martin knew how much I appreciated all the support he has given me over the years.

'I have an incredible relationship with him. He is so easy to work with, so welcoming, so forgiving when you make mistakes. Very much more a friend than a boss. I called him and said "Look, I've decided to go this way".'

... is way more than what he'd need to do if his aim was solely to ensure support for the rest of the season. The original point was how the above shoots the widespread fan propaganda to pieces about Whitmarsh being Hamiltons enemy within the team, trying to screw him all the time in favour of Button.

Again, it feels a bit weird that someone like me isn't believing Hamilton to be a sneaky liar of such proportions, whereas some of his fans (obviously not you) are apparently propagating just that in dismissing it all as PR speak.

He has 6 races to go with the team, I can't say he is or isn't telling the truth but I think he is smart enough not to destroy the rest of his own season by saying something negative like "I lost all faith in the Team Principal and some of the crew weren't all that great either....We had some good times but right now I can't wait to get away from this team".

Like I said he has 6 races to go and for me, until he has left the team, I put his answers in the "honey....how do I look in this dress?" category.

... is way more than what he'd need to do if his aim was solely to ensure support for the rest of the season. The original point was how the above shot's the widespread fan propaganda to pieces about Whitmarsh being Hamiltons enemy within the team, trying to screw him all the time in favour of Button.

Again, it feels a bit weird that someone like me isn't believing Hamilton to be a sneaky liar of such proportions, whereas some of his fans (obviously not you) are apparently propagating just that in dismissing it all as PR speak.

Yeah it's strange isn't it? I mean, you having to defend LH against some of his fans

Must be the LH fans who've been convinced by the "MW prefers Button" theory. I don't believe that one myself, but I'm the sort of mug who takes people on face value so long as they don't look shifty. It's easier and quicker than obsessively and microscopically analysing every word that comes out of a driver's gob.

I thought this was an interesting quote from today's press conference:

Q. (Dan Knutson - Honorary) Lewis, you may have covered this with the Brits(British press), but we weren't privy to be there. In life, when you make a big decision, many of us, once it's made, you can relax because good, bad or indifferent, it's done so do you feel calmer now, that the decision is made?

LH: Absolutely, yeah, I feel fantastic. Very very happy and excited and grateful that I can now just focus on these next six races. I know there's a lot of work ahead of me. I know I'm leaving a very very good car for this guy (Perez) to step into...

SP: Thank you.

LH: Yeah. Trust me, it will be a good car next year as well, I know. I know exactly what's going on next year with your car

Edit: I should make it clear that i dont think Lewis would give any Mclaren secrets to Merc; just thought it was an unusual thing to say.

I thought this was an interesting quote from today's press conference:

Edit: I should make it clear that i dont think Lewis would give any Mclaren secrets to Merc; just thought it was an unusual thing to say.

Yep. Which in Hamiltons case makes it the usual thing. Well, almost.

Can't make much sense of it, other than it being an extension of his earlier claims how he developed this years car. Of course as a a chief developer he's bound to know all about next years car too, isn't he?

... is way more than what he'd need to do if his aim was solely to ensure support for the rest of the season. The original point was how the above shoots the widespread fan propaganda to pieces about Whitmarsh being Hamiltons enemy within the team, trying to screw him all the time in favour of Button.

Again, it feels a bit weird that someone like me isn't believing Hamilton to be a sneaky liar of such proportions, whereas some of his fans (obviously not you) are apparently propagating just that in dismissing it all as PR speak.

That will be the people who think there was some sort of Whitmarsh led conspiracy against Hamilton. I've never bought that theory, and it's not just the most recent words of Hamilton that blow that one away. That is of course not to say there was never any friction between them; but given 6+years and various ups and downs I'd say that would be normal.

Can't make much sense of it, other than it being an extension of his earlier claims how he developed this years car. Of course as a a chief developer he's bound to know all about next years car too, isn't he?

Was just going to reply that it's not unusual for Hamilton to phrase things.... unusually... I just took it as a bit of a dig to JB, who was commenting to the press a few weeks back as to how he was uncomfortable with the fact that Hamilton was still privy to info regarding next season's car.

I thought this was an interesting quote from today's press conference:

Edit: I should make it clear that i dont think Lewis would give any Mclaren secrets to Merc; just thought it was an unusual thing to say.

My guess would be to put pressure on McLaren drivers for 2013 - If they do well it's because the car was good, if not people say “Hamilton would have won in that car“.Or to make it look like he wasn't fleeing a sinking ship.Or maybe Hamilton just says random weird stuff sometimes.

My guess would be to put pressure on McLaren drivers for 2013 - If they do well it's because the car was good, if not people say “Hamilton would have won in that car“.Or to make it look like he wasn't fleeing a sinking ship.Or maybe Hamilton just says random weird stuff sometimes.

Or maybe just being honest? For once he is not so confined with McLaren's PR machine.

That will be the people who think there was some sort of Whitmarsh led conspiracy against Hamilton. I've never bought that theory, and it's not just the most recent words of Hamilton that blow that one away. That is of course not to say there was never any friction between them; but given 6+years and various ups and downs I'd say that would be normal.

I know you weren't amongst the tinfoils, it's ony a certain (but not so small) part of LH supporters this adresses.

Was just going to reply that it's not unusual for Hamilton to phrase things.... unusually... I just took it as a bit of a dig to JB, who was commenting to the press a few weeks back as to how he was uncomfortable with the fact that Hamilton was still privy to info regarding next season's car.

He should demand excellence from his team, and I sincerely hope Mercedes can do a somewhat competent job on race-days. I don't care if their car isn't the fastest, but don't actively lose your driver races like McLaren.

They have really shown how to lose the World Championship with a superior car.

Shoddy pit-stops, Under fueling, and crappy transmissions. Taking away sure wins. I would absolutely take Ferrari's pace if Lewis could of had their reliability.

Looking at how crap they have been this year it's no wonder wonder Lewis is leaving.

My only hope is that behind the scenes, Lewis Hamilton has been pulling a Peyton Manning, ie, really giving folks an ear full when people aren't doing their job. Like this. He should demand excellence from his team, and I sincerely hope Mercedes can do a somewhat competent job on race-days. I don't care if their car isn't the fastest, but don't actively lose your driver races like McLaren.

And I know Lewis had a shoddy year last year. You know why? Dude was having to push an underperforming car to get it places it didn't belong.

So shall we dismiss everything Hamilton says for the rest of the year as PR drivel, or only selected stuff? And who is to decide which is which? Can we have one of the local LH mindreaders keep us mere mortals updated on what to believe and what not? You, perhaps?

You must have forgotten your "mental zeal" posts. Stuff of legends,I used to laugh so hard reading those back then, as65p.............as for what you and the rest of Ham critics should believe, like it matters,ya'll have your minds made up

They have really shown how to lose the World Championship with a superior car.

Shoddy pit-stops, Under fueling, and crappy transmissions. Taking away sure wins. I would absolutely take Ferrari's pace if Lewis could of had their reliability.

Looking at how crap they have been this year it's no wonder wonder Lewis is leaving.

My only hope is that behind the scenes, Lewis Hamilton has been pulling a Peyton Manning, ie, really giving folks an ear full when people aren't doing their job. Like this. He should demand excellence from his team, and I sincerely hope Mercedes can do a somewhat competent job on race-days. I don't care if their car isn't the fastest, but don't actively lose your driver races like McLaren.

And I know Lewis had a shoddy year last year. You know why? Dude was having to push an underperforming car to get it places it didn't belong.

You see the dichotomy, don't you? Do you really want "Ferrari pace" for "Ferrari reliability"? Lewis may still win the championship in this year's car - in fact - I think he may have a better chance than Alonso (but I am an Alonso fan, and thus, worried about their pace... )

But, back to my point - an invidious comparison; in the year you mention (2011) when he (Lewis) was having to push the car to get it to places it didn't belong, McLaren finished 2nd in the WDC (in part, due to LH's performances, of course). But - in that year, Jenson had 3 wins, Lewis had 3 and between them (wins included) they had 18 podiums. The Ferrari team, this year, has 8 podiums and 3 wins (wins included)... so they're on course for (statistically) 11 to 12 podiums. Now - I know that this comparison is unfair, because (especially since his accident) Massa is not Button - but still...

My point is that if Hamilton were in the "reliable Ferrari" he would be having to push an underperforming car to get it to places it didn't belong... So - the salient question is; do you think that Hamilton would be leading the WDC by 36 points were he driving the ferrari?

You see the dichotomy, don't you? Do you really want "Ferrari pace" for "Ferrari reliability"? Lewis may still win the championship in this year's car - in fact - I think he may have a better chance than Alonso (but I am an Alonso fan, and thus, worried about their pace... )

But, back to my point - an invidious comparison; in the year you mention (2011) when he (Lewis) was having to push the car to get it to places it didn't belong, McLaren finished 2nd in the WDC (in part, due to LH's performances, of course). But - in that year, Jenson had 3 wins, Lewis had 3 and between them (wins included) they had 18 podiums. The Ferrari team, this year, has 8 podiums and 3 wins (wins included)... so they're on course for (statistically) 11 to 12 podiums. Now - I know that this comparison is unfair, because (especially since his accident) Massa is not Button - but still...

My point is that if Hamilton were in the "reliable Ferrari" he would be having to push an underperforming car to get it to places it didn't belong... So - the salient question is; do you think that Hamilton would be leading the WDC by 36 points were he driving the ferrari?

That question is what makes his move to Mercedes so interesting...

Edited for my execrable typing.

Great points.

You are really on to something when you talk about Lewis pushing. In that ferrari, Lewis would probably make the sames mistakes he made last year.

You see the dichotomy, don't you? Do you really want "Ferrari pace" for "Ferrari reliability"? Lewis may still win the championship in this year's car - in fact - I think he may have a better chance than Alonso (but I am an Alonso fan, and thus, worried about their pace... )

But, back to my point - an invidious comparison; in the year you mention (2011) when he (Lewis) was having to push the car to get it to places it didn't belong, McLaren finished 2nd in the WDC (in part, due to LH's performances, of course). But - in that year, Jenson had 3 wins, Lewis had 3 and between them (wins included) they had 18 podiums. The Ferrari team, this year, has 8 podiums and 3 wins (wins included)... so they're on course for (statistically) 11 to 12 podiums. Now - I know that this comparison is unfair, because (especially since his accident) Massa is not Button - but still...

My point is that if Hamilton were in the "reliable Ferrari" he would be having to push an underperforming car to get it to places it didn't belong... So - the salient question is; do you think that Hamilton would be leading the WDC by 36 points were he driving the ferrari?

That question is what makes his move to Mercedes so interesting...

Edited for my execrable typing.

Big difference is we do not have vettel running off with the WDC this year.... Hamiltons 2011 was a one off and it still wasn't that bad. every other season he has been right up there.

Another thing to think off the ferrari hasnt been that bad. Fred has had a couple of poles..... Mid season it was probably the car to have. Vettels redbull was the car to have all year last year.

if Hamilton had had Freds reliability and also a designated # 2 this year he would be leading the championship. I think the pressure will be off a little next year and we will see some great drives from Hamilton.

No. FA's poles were under fluky conditions in the wet, where the F2012 is good. In the dry is is and has always been a turd.

Well we had a couple of wet races and his car was good. Really one of the main reasons he has the lead like he does.

One thing we do know though is that Hamilton beat Fred when they were in equal machinery so seeing as we are extrapolating we could just as easily say Hamilton would have more points than Fred this year.

One thing we do know though is that Hamilton beat Fred when they were in equal machinery so seeing as we are extrapolating we could just as easily say Hamilton would have more points than Fred this year.